Biography
Robin Pavia is a current Connecticut Superior Court judge listed in the 2026 Judicial Branch directory as Chief Administrative Judge, Criminal. She was appointed in 2007, and her current term ends April 24, 2031. Sources: Connecticut Judicial Branch Directory (2026), Connecticut Superior Court judicial roster
Governor M. Jodi Rell nominated Pavia to the Superior Court, and the Connecticut General Assembly confirmed her on April 24, 2007. Before joining the bench, Pavia served for 16 years as an assistant state’s attorney in Connecticut. At her 2007 confirmation hearing, she described the change from acting as an advocate to ensuring that proceedings are conducted fairly and impartially. Sources: 2007 Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing
During her judicial service, Pavia has held criminal and civil assignments in Bridgeport, Danbury and Stamford. Governor Dannel P. Malloy nominated her for a second term in 2015, and the General Assembly confirmed the reappointment. Her current term extends through April 24, 2031. Sources: 2015 Judiciary Committee reappointment hearing, 2015 House confirmation transcript, Connecticut Superior Court judicial roster
Pavia serves as chair of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission and as a member of Connecticut’s Sentence Review Division. She also serves on Judicial Branch committees, teaches in the Judicial Branch Pre-Bench Orientation Program and has presented lectures on criminal law. Sources: Connecticut Sentencing Commission chair biography
Pavia graduated from George Washington University and American University’s Washington College of Law. A Connecticut General Assembly record states that she was admitted to the Connecticut and New York bars in 1988. Sources: 2007 Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing, 2015 House confirmation transcript
Selected official case activity involving Judge Pavia
This is a selection of matters documented in official Connecticut sources, not a complete list of Judge Pavia’s cases. Case outcomes should not be interpreted as predictive of results in other matters.
State v. Tarik Francis
On December 16, 2025, Judge Pavia sentenced Francis to life imprisonment without the possibility of release after convictions on two counts of Murder, one count of Murder with Special Circumstances and one count of Criminal Possession of a Firearm.
Sources: State v. Tarik Francis sentencing releaseState v. Brian McAllister
Judge Pavia presided over the jury trial in which McAllister was found guilty on February 13, 2025 of multiple sexual-assault and risk-of-injury charges, as reported by the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice.
Sources: State v. Brian McAllister verdict releaseState v. Robert Grabarek
On March 12, 2025, Judge Pavia imposed a three-year suspended sentence and two years of probation, ordered a $28,235 payment to the victim compensation fund and 300 hours of community service, and prohibited testing or remediation work without written Adult Probation approval. Administrative action concerning the defendant’s licenses was incorporated as a probation condition.
Sources: State v. Robert Grabarek sentencing releaseState v. Jaquan Bryant
Judge Pavia served with Judges Eliot D. Prescott and Peter McShane on the three-judge panel that unanimously found Bryant guilty of murder on November 26, 2024.
Sources: State v. Jaquan Bryant verdict release